Italy's Center-Left Bloc Said to Be Ahead in Polls

he centre-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani looks likely to win the Italian election, according to exit polls. File photo

Pier Luigi Bersani's center-left bloc is leading the race for both houses of Italy's Parliament, according to early exit polls from the country's general election.

Initial results as polls closed suggested Bersani's alliance had taken around 34% of the vote, ahead of Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right group on about 29%.

Beppe Grillo's protest movement took nearly 20%, the polls said, according to BBC.

The two-day vote is seen as crucial for efforts to tackle Italy's economic problems, as well as for the eurozone.